Long Lived

Most people try hard to live a little longer. They want to extend their life to spend more time with family, friends, and doing the things they love. Staying healthy and active can play a huge role in extending one's life, but so can a few other things. Here's a list of things you can do to add a few years on to your life to help maximize your time and enjoyment.

Building strong social networks has proven to be a great way to extend lives. In fact, some research shows that people with a large group of friends outlive those who don't by a substantial margin! Australian researchers looked at a group of males in their 70s and noticed that the ones with more people in their lives lived longer. So what can you do? Go out and try to meet more people. Introduce yourself to neighbors you've yet to meet, say "hi" to the people you always see at the grocery store or stick around to talk to the people in class after yoga.

It's very clear that what you eat has an important impact on your longevity as well. The healthier you eat, the less likely you are to develop the wide array of diseases that are associated with being overweight or obese. Furthermore, a nutrient dense diet provides your body with the defense mechanisms to protect it from viruses and other infections.

Some studies, shown that eating specific foods in certain forms and quantities can extend life. For example, an Italian study found people who eat one cup of raw vegetables every day can extend their lives by up to two years. Additionally, they learned that eating a two ounce serving of nuts five times per week could greatly reduce the chance of suffering fatal disease.

To get your raw veggies, simply cut up some raw peppers, carrots, or broccoli and put them in a salad or plastic bag for a quick snack at work. It really couldn't be any easier. When you're selecting your nuts, make sure they are raw, unsalted, and not covered in chocolate or any other kind of coating! The more stuff that's added, the less nutritious they are!

These are only a few things that can help you extend your life. Keeping active, healthy, and maintaining a positive attitude are also helpful in living a longer, happier, and more fulfilling life. Ultimately, the key is to find ways to feel good and enjoy yourself. After all, when you're feeling good you have more reason to stick around!

Have a healthy day.

How health Friendly Are The Foods You Eat?

We all Know that we dare not survive without food, but for the most part many of us do not know the ones that are actually hurting us. However, in most cases we will know that we are not feeling our very best in our health even though we are doing everything we can to eat the right kind of diet. 

With that being said, for many people, eating the wrong foods or wrong combination of foods can indeed be a disaster.  take a keen look at these experiences people have had by being ignorant to their food sensitivities.

·         One woman was in a daze for 39 years, until she stopped eating an everyday food and “woke up” to find herself alive and aware. They called her brain damaged but it was just ordinary foods, inflaming her brain tissues, until she couldn’t think straight.

·         A man had chronic rhinitis which was finally diagnosed as a potato allergy. A few days after eating the last potato, he sniffed freely for the first time in over 20 years!

·         Another woman had 63 years of migraine misery, only to find it was a milk allergy.

·         A boy had epileptic fits if he ate carrot or anything from the same food family (celery, parsnip, parsley, dill etc).  Another man had epilepsy from wheat—he got his driving license back. There were no more attacks when he stopped eating this one food.

·         A woman had over 20 years of bloody diarrhoea from colitis, only to find it was a lettuce allergy. She has been eating “healthy” salads, which nearly killed her.

Think again; this is NOT about ‘junk food’.

All these reactions came from whole organic foods but the reality is that foods can be very harsh on the body systems at times. And the worst part is not knowing which foods are causing such havoc on our health and well being. Most importantly, is to find out which ones aren't safe for you and eliminate them.

There is a book titled "Diet Wise" written by  Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby MD, the world’s “Number One Allergy Detective”.  All these amazing stories and thousands more like them, are from his case files. If you read this book then you will be more alerted to the dangers of food allergies/sensitivities.

Everybody eating plan is ideal and unique to them.  But it's advisable to seek information and make sure to inform your health providers if you don't feel well after consuming certain foods.

Have a great day!

Healthy dieting

Dieting is hard. It's hard because it usually requires a whole lifestyle change. It means you'll probably be cooking at home more, sacrificing the flavors and treats you enjoy most, and educating yourself about all the other healthy food options that exist. Taking the first steps are difficult, but by sticking to it and making an effort to learn about food, how to make it healthy and delicious, and all the options you have, it becomes far easier to make the transition in your lifestyle.

One thing that's important to keep in mind, however, is that a specific diet plan won't work for everybody when it comes to weight loss. Yes, eating a healthy balanced diet will always yield positive effects, but for those looking to drop a little extra weight, it really takes experimentation to learn what works for your individual case.

For example, some people respond well to a high-fat/high-protein diet but it can result in weight gain for others. Some people do well with high carbohydrate diets, and others respond well to a traditional macronutrient split. Most adults should try and consume at least 10-35% of their calories from protein, 45-65% from carbohydrates, and 20-35% from fats.

Therefore improving your health and losing weight with proper nutrition is only possible by taking the first step. Improve the quality of the food you eat, continue to learn, and you can adjust the details as you move forward.

Have a great day.

Need 20/20 Vision? Cont'd.

There are a number of ingredients that are very crucial to maintain your 20/20 vision health.  These work together to support every part of your eyes and promote clear vision and help reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.  Here are a few of them as follows:

Carrots- Beta-carotene, helps fend off free-radical damage in the retina and surrounding tissues

Ginkgo Biloba, protects against age-related macular degeneration

Lycopene- Tomatoes, protects against oxidative damage and decreases incidents of cataracts and macular degeneration

Black currant- improves night-time vision, as well as blood flow to the vasculature of the eyes

Lutein- filters out radiation, also support lens and macular health.

Finally, let me say that, it is a very good idea to try and care for your eyes the very best way you possibly can and prevent the degeneration of your eye health so that you can enjoy a long, happy and independent life.

Have a healthy day!

Need 20/20 Vision?

It is said that every 12 minutes, one Canadian starts  losing their eyesight but it is also noted that 75% of vision loss is preventable.  For many people however, start losing their vision at the age of 50.

You could be out driving one night and suddenly notice that there is a struggle to see the lines in the street, or the traffic lights and signs aren't crystal clear as before.  In fact, night vision concerns can be very debilitating for many.  Missing out on your favourite movies or other social events but its a compromise you don't have to accept.

Blue berries and cranberries, a natural cousin to 'Black Currant' is a very potent antioxidant that has reportedly improve night vision in a very short period of time.

Black currant contains anthocyanosides and other flavonoids, which also help improve circulation to and within the eyes.

Multiple studies have also reported that black currant can help people adjust quickly to see an illuminated object in a dark room.  In fact, it doesn't take long to build in your system so you could see improvement in very little time.

Stay tuned for part (2).

Have a healthy day!

Vinegar, Very Medicinal

Worrying about blood sugar levels?  Take vinegar.  It was confirmed in a study done at the Arizona State University and was reported in the Journal of Functional Foods that consuming vinegar could help manage and reduce blood sugar levels.

It is also noted that vinegar continues to put forth a growing list of undeniable health benefits.  This includes: A natural fat burner, reduces salt levels in foods and a natural way to help manage blood sugar levels.

Researchers found that the subjects who consumed 8oz of apple cider vinegar drink for 12 weeks, had a significant reduction in blood sugar levels compared to the control group who had one vinegar pill twice a day for 12 weeks.

I will conclude by saying that, if you purposefully integrate vinegar into your daily food intake, for example, use vinegar for your salad dressing instead of  the standard salad dressing, a small amount in a glass of water before a meal etc. It is very likely you will notice a considerate reduction in your blood glucose concentration in both those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and those at risk for this disease.

Have a healthy day!

Should US Hit Syria?

With  this situation in Syria, i am emotionally moved to see the loss of dignity and injustice happening to human lives in Syria. This is such a horrible thing for adults and children to endure. Furthermore, most of the time in these so-called civil wars, sadly, the innocent people are the target to be victimized and that is a tragedy for leaders of these countries to stand back and watch such cruel violation on their civilians whom they should be protecting in the first place.

Having said that, i do think that President Obama should rethink his plan of action to strike Syria. I also think that we in the west should stop wasting billions of dollars on these war weary countries because, they have been warring not three years now but for centuries. Just take a look in the bible, there was constant unrest among them from those days; so how on earth any one country (US) can change such crisis?  Now, i do agree that everyone cannot just sit back and do nothing to save these children and innocent adults, its just wrong with what w are witnessing every day in the media on the issues on the ground. 

However, this chemical war on people in Syria could be very well a broader psychological issue. In other words, is it a non-verbal warning to the west, is it an out-right message of what they are capable of for anyone in the west to dare their political endeavor?  Well, no one knows for sure what this all mean but for sure, this is a reality of what politics can do when given in the hands of cruel leaders.

Having said that, since they cannot be trusted, they do not tell the truth whenever a crisis arises, let those leaders clean up their own mistakes using their own resources. Here's what is possible to happen if US not careful. For the most part, all the other ally are holding back from getting involved so, if US go on their own, exhaust their resources and the worst scenario evolve, then the middle east will end up with more power, more resources to salvage the west.

That is why i think the US should stay out of attacking Syria and find a different diplomacy to ascertain that human lives be protected. On the other hand, i believe that the US has the global interest and safety in mind so, no part of this is easy, it's a troubling situation to navigate through when so much is at stakes while other world leaders on the stand-off.  

What do you think about this situation? Let me hear your comment below and what you would suggest if you had the opportunity to do so..

Have a great day!

Antidepressants, Need Alternative?

As per previous post on the 'War Of Depression', i mentioned the alternative therapy TMS (cranial magnetic stimulation). This alternative therapy however, has seemingly shown mixed results because some people claim that they have gone into full remission and are totally off antidepressants; but unfortunately, some have not experienced the same results. Experts within the medical community are presently trying to gauge the overall effectiveness and is working in some cases.

 

There was an article in the New York times recently where a patient was reviewed and she claimed that she no more takes antidepressants regimen because her depression went into full remission. She continued to explain that after she had taken about four weeks of treatment, she no longer wanted to die after waking up every day.

 

Because this therapy only work on some patients, it is very difficult for doctors to know for sure how successful it will be on an individual basis. This is no doubt a big problem at hand, not to mention its a very expensive and time-consuming treatment as well. In fact, it cost thousand of dollars and in many cases not covered by insurance.

 

During a session, the patient has a large magnet attached to the left side of their head. The magnet sends pulses to the brain and the plan is that they will reset mood's regulatory sectors to alleviate depression and stimulate more positive feelings. the fact that it is an alternative treatment it is most certainly gaining its popularity but still to know its overall effectiveness.

 

Finally, if you or someone you know suffering from depression, it doesn't hurt to consult your doctor and engage him in the discussion about this alternative therapy, if you'd like to get off antidepressants. Although it is still in its infant stages your doctor may have some valued information he can share with you.

have a healthy and balanced day.

Antidepressants, Need Alternative?

Depression touches a lot of lives. If you don't suffer directly from it, it's quite possible you know someone that does. You experience their good and bad days, ups and downs, and the thoughts they're feeling in your own way. Depression doesn't just affect those who are diagnosed, but the people they are close to.

Unfortunately, there aren't many cures for depression that aren't based around pharmaceutical assistance. Specialists recommend talking to friends, taking up hobbies and building better relationships, but these suggestions can be very difficult for a person living under the cloud of depression. In fact, they simply might not work to combat the condition.

A new form of treatment used, TMS, has been making a little bit of headway recently. The abbreviation, TMS means trans cranial magnetic stimulation. It works by sending magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the brain believed to be associated with mood regulation. This treatment has virtually no side effects as the conventional medications do.  It is noted that TMS doesn't trigger seizures like electro-shock therapy can for depression treatment.

Stay tuned for part (2).

Have a balanced and healthy day!!